Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-09-29


the perch aloft, where he had been using
the glass, and reported to the captain
that the craft were approaching US by the
use of sweeps. The calm still held, but it
was clear enough to sailors eye that we
should have breeze as soon as the sun
began to climb up. No man asked him
self the errand of those boats making
out for the Huntress. At that time and
locality there could be but one answer.
The captain presently called US aft and
said:
"Men, the craft which you see pulling
out for US are pirates. We shall have
breeze within an hour, but they will be
here first. If we cannot beat them off we
are dead men. They take no prisoners.
L look to see every man do his duty
We gave him cheer, and began our
preparations. The cook was ordered to
fill his coppers full of water and start a
rousing fire, and the arms were brought
up and served out. There were three or
four men who had served at heavy gun,
and these took charge of the cannon,
and the piece was loaded with shell.
When the captain called for some one
to use the rifles, the only who answered
was an American. He took them all,
loaded them with his own hand, and by
the time the pirates were within a mile
we were as ready as we could be. The
bark was lying with her head to the
east, and the fellows were approaching
up from the north, on our broadside. The
mate kept his glass going, and announced
that both crafts we're crowded with men,
but that he could see no cannon. They
made slow progress, and we were impa-
tient to open the fight. By and by, when
they might have been three-q quarters of a
mile away, the captain passed word for
the gunners TO send them shot. In a
few seconds the big gun roared, and we
all saw that the shell flew over the pirates
and burst in the air. 1t was a good line
shot aid something TO encourage, but be-
fore the cannon sent another shot the
American has try with one of the rifles.
The mate was watching his shot from the
rigging, and the report had scarcely died
away before he shouted:
"Good for the Yankee! He hit at least
a couple of them"
Tho second shell from the cannon burst
over one of the boats and took effect on
some of the men, as reported by the
mate. The American then fred again,
and again his bullet told. We were do
but the struggle was yet to come. TIE
fellows bent their energies to creeping
closer, and pretty soon they opened fire
on us with musketry, and the balls began
to sing through the rigging in lively
manner. We had our muskets ready,
but the captain ordered US to- hold our
fire and keep sheltered behind the rail.
One of the piratical craft was a quarter
of a mile in advance of the other, and the
third shell from the cannon burst aboard
of her and must have killed and wounded
dozen or more men. There was great
confusion on board, and she remained
stationary until the other craft came up.
During this interval the American got in
two more shots which found victims. We
now looked upon the victory as assured,
and there was cheering from one end OF
the ship to the other. We were little
ahead of time, The third shot from our
big gun burst it, and although none eff
the men we're hurt we were thus deprived
of great advantage.
AS soon as the captain knew what had
happened he called upon all the crew to
shelter themselves and wait to fire at
close quarters. One man was detailed to
assist the Cook with the hot water. and
powder and bullets were placed handy
for reloading the muskets. 1 was
stationed near the gun carriage, and
noticed several shells lying about under
foot. The American kept firing away
with the rifles, knocking over pirate at
each shot, and pretty soon the two crafts
were near enough for Us to omen fire with
the muskets. / presume we wasted good
many shots, for we were green hands and
greatly excited, but am likewise certain
that wa also did great execution. We
had plunging fire down upon a mass of
half-naked fellows, and we must have
weeded out full third of them. There
was no air stirring and the smoke soon
grew thick about US. By and by the
shouts and yells of the pirates sounded
close at hand, and their crafts were laid
alongside. We now flung down the mus
kets and used the revolvers and pixies.
When the revolvers were empty we used
capstan bars, dubbed muskets, or what
ever would serve to strike blow. One
now lay ON our quarter and the other on
the bow, and the fellows tried TO carry US
by boarding.
l can't describe the fight to you, fur
ther than to say that there was shooting,
clubbing and stabbipg all along our port
rail. We beat them eff the rail again and
again and twice 1 Drained pirates who
reached the deck over the blades of my
pixies. By and by I heard some one
sing out that the fell ows had boarded US
forward. I did not see how we could
spare man from the quarter, for two
had gone down and the rest of US were
hard pressed. All of q sudden l thought
of two shells lying at my feet. There
were half dozen burning wads on our
decks from the jingles of the pirates,
and with one of these l lighted the fuse
to a three-second shell and gave the ball
a toss for the dhow. It fell right into
the thiekest of her crew and it was set
tier. Our rail was clear in half minute,
and then picked another shell and a
burning wad and ran forward. dozen
natives had gained the bow and were
pushing our men back. I lighted the
fuse and gave the shell a roll along the
deck into the crowd, and l give you my
word that not one of them was alive after
the explosion. One of our men on the
quarter threw a third shell, and then l
brought the fourth one aud threw it from
the bow.
The fight was ended. 4 bit of wind
blew the smoke away, and we looked